Hearts earn derby spoils

A second goal in two starts for Hearts star Craig Beattie and a solo Suso Santana stunner secured a 2-0 win over great rivals Hibernian at Tynecastle, condemning the visitors to a 10th consecutive Edinburgh derby without a win.

Beattie, enjoying his first taste of this fixture, slipped a first-half strike through the legs of Graham Stack following a sensational Ian Black cross-field pass.

Late substitute Santana added some gloss to the result, with a splendid individual goal, darting from the halfway line before curling a fine effort past Stack.

It took 13 minutes for the first real opportunity, with Tom Soares diverting a wicked Ian Black delivery a matter of inches over his own crossbar. A wayward Beattie effort followed, heading wide from a Andrew Driver cross.

Against the run of play, Hibs could have claimed the lead with the half-hour mark approaching. Some nice interplay between the previously quiet Leigh Griffiths and Pa Kujabi set the Gambian left-back free inside the box. His delivery across the face of goal was tantalising but there were no takers.

And seconds later Pat Fenlon's men were behind. A stunning 50-yard diagonal ball from Black set Beattie through on goal and the former Celtic striker held off the challenge of Matt Doherty brilliantly before sliding a low effort past Stack.

Hibs emerged with more vigour after the break, and Doherty saw two headers - within seconds of each other - cleared off the line, with Beattie, then Driver, in the right place at the right time.

With less than 20 minutes to play Griffiths wasted a decent chance for the Easter Road outfit. From a nicely placed free-kick from 25 yards the Scotland under-21 international fired wastefully over the bar.

Five minutes later Hibs should have been level. Griffiths delivered a sumptuous clipped cross into the box but, from point-blank range, Roy O'Donovan's glancing header was saved by the legs of Jamie MacDonald.

It would prove to be the last chance for Fenlon's men, and it was Hearts who would end the game in style. Santana, on as a late replacement for Rudi Skacel, picked up the ball on halfway, danced past two challenges on his way to the box and curled a delightful effort past Stack.

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